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The stylohyoid muscle is a thin neck muscle that stretches between the base of the skull and the hyoid bone. It is one of the four suprahyoid muscles and plays a role in various functions, including chewing, swallowing, and phonetics. Pathologic conditions associated with the stylohyoid muscle can result in cervical and pharyngeal symptoms such as neck pain, and in some cases, more severe pain may be indicative of myofascial pain syndrome. The stylohyoid muscle receives its motor innervation from the stylohyoid branch of the facial nerve (CN VII).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscle type | Suprahyoid muscle |
| Muscle structure | Thin, narrow, slender |
| Muscle location | Between the base of the skull and the hyoid bone |
| Muscle origin | Styloid process of the temporal bone |
| Muscle insertion | Hyoid bone |
| Innervation | Stylohyoid branch of the facial nerve (CN VII) |
| Blood supply | External carotid artery |
| Pathologic conditions | Myofascial pain syndrome, stylohyoid syndrome, Eagle syndrome |
| Function | Chewing, swallowing, phonetics, fixation of the hyoid bone, elevation of the hyoid bone |
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What You'll Learn
- The stylohyoid muscle is innervated by a branch of the facial nerve
- The muscle draws the hyoid bone upwards and backwards
- It is one of the four suprahyoid muscles
- The stylohyoid muscle is involved in chewing, swallowing and phonetics
- Pathologic conditions associated with the stylohyoid muscle can result in neck pain
The stylohyoid muscle is innervated by a branch of the facial nerve
The stylohyoid muscle is a thin neck muscle stretching between the base of the skull and the hyoid bone. It is one of the four suprahyoid muscles, which are all located superiorly to the hyoid bone of the neck. The stylohyoid muscle is innervated by a branch of the facial nerve. This nerve is formed by the stylohyoid branch of the muscle, which originates near the stylomastoid foramen and divides into several smaller filaments.
The stylohyoid muscle is involved in various functions, including chewing, swallowing, and phonetics. It works in conjunction with the other suprahyoid muscles to contribute to the fixation of the hyoid bone. The muscle elevates and retracts the hyoid bone, drawing it upwards and backwards, and elongates the floor of the mouth. This action of elevating the hyoid bone initiates swallowing.
The stylohyoid muscle receives its vascular supply from branches of the external carotid artery, including the occipital branch. Lymphatic drainage from this area of the neck goes into the submental and submandibular lymph nodes and then into the deep cervical group of lymph nodes.
Pathologic conditions associated with the stylohyoid muscle can result in cervical and pharyngeal symptoms such as neck pain, particularly in the area of the angle of the mandible, submandibular space, and anterior upper neck. These symptoms can be exacerbated by speaking, swallowing, yawning, or head-turning. Treatment for severe pain in the stylohyoid muscle may include injections to numb the affected area.
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The muscle draws the hyoid bone upwards and backwards
The stylohyoid muscle is a thin, suprahyoid muscle in the neck that stretches between the base of the skull and the hyoid bone. It is a slender muscle that lies on the upper border of the posterior digastric muscle. The stylohyoid muscle is involved in various functions, including chewing, swallowing, and phonetics, and it helps to fixate the hyoid bone when working with the other suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles.
The stylohyoid muscle is innervated by the stylohyoid branch of the facial nerve (CN VII). This nerve forms near the stylomastoid foramen and divides into several smaller filaments that innervate the muscle. The facial nerve also communicates with the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves, as well as the auricular branch of the vagus nerve, and the auriculotemporal, great auricular, and lesser occipital nerves.
The stylohyoid muscle draws the hyoid bone upwards and backwards, also known as superiorly and posteriorly. This action helps to elongate the floor of the mouth and initiate swallowing. The muscle receives its blood supply from branches of the facial, posterior auricular, and occipital arteries, which are all large branches of the external carotid artery.
The stylohyoid muscle can be palpated by placing the fingers along the direction of the muscle fibre under the chin and superiorly towards the hyoid bone. This can be done laterally from the hyoid bone towards the earlobe along the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. During palpation, the patient may be asked to swallow or place their tongue against the roof of their mouth to push against it.
Pathologic conditions associated with the stylohyoid muscle can result in cervical and pharyngeal symptoms such as neck pain, especially during speaking, swallowing, yawning, or head-turning. Myofascial pain syndrome can cause severe pain in the stylohyoid muscle, requiring treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or, in severe cases, injections to numb the affected area.
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It is one of the four suprahyoid muscles
The stylohyoid muscle is one of the four suprahyoid muscles. It is a thin, narrow muscle that stretches between the base of the skull and the hyoid bone. It is situated near the digastric muscle, extending along the superior border of its posterior belly. The stylohyoid muscle is innervated by the stylohyoid branch of the facial nerve (CN VII). This nerve forms near the stylomastoid foramen and divides into several filaments that innervate the muscle.
The suprahyoid muscles are located superiorly to the hyoid bone in the neck. They work together to elevate the hyoid bone, initiating the act of swallowing. The stylohyoid muscle, in particular, draws the hyoid bone upwards and backwards, elongating the floor of the mouth. This action plays a role in various functions, including chewing, swallowing, and phonetics.
The stylohyoid muscle develops during the eighth week of gestation and changes shape and length with age. In children, it is nearly horizontal, but it becomes more vertical in adults. The muscle can be palpated by placing the fingers along the direction of its fibre under the chin and superiorly towards the hyoid bone.
Pathologic conditions associated with the stylohyoid muscle can result in cervical and pharyngeal symptoms such as neck pain, particularly in the area of the angle of the mandible, submandibular space, and anterior upper neck. These symptoms can be exacerbated by speaking, swallowing, yawning, or head-turning. Treatment for severe pain may include injections to numb the affected area.
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The stylohyoid muscle is involved in chewing, swallowing and phonetics
The stylohyoid muscle is a suprahyoid muscle in the neck that stretches between the base of the skull and the hyoid bone. It is innervated by a branch of the facial nerve (CN VII). The muscle is involved in several functions, including chewing, swallowing, and phonetics.
During chewing, the stylohyoid muscle works in conjunction with other suprahyoid muscles, including the stylohyoid, digastric, mylohyoid, and geniohyoid muscles. This coordination helps to depress the mandible and open the mouth widely, facilitating the chewing process.
When it comes to swallowing, the stylohyoid muscle plays a crucial role in initiating this action. By contracting, it elevates and retracts the hyoid bone, resulting in the elevation of the tongue and elongation of the floor of the mouth. This movement aids in deglutition, or the act of swallowing.
Additionally, the stylohyoid muscle is involved in phonetics, specifically in producing treble sounds. Its contraction helps improve the flexion movement of the neck, which is essential for generating high-pitched sounds.
While the stylohyoid muscle is essential for these functions, it is also associated with certain pathologic conditions. For example, myofascial pain syndrome can cause severe pain in this muscle, requiring treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or, in severe cases, injections to numb the affected area.
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Pathologic conditions associated with the stylohyoid muscle can result in neck pain
The stylohyoid muscle is a slender muscle that is part of the four suprahyoid muscles. It originates from the styloid process of the temporal bone and inserts into the hyoid bone. The muscle is involved in various functions, including chewing, swallowing, and phonetics. It also helps to elevate the hyoid bone and draw it backwards, elongating the floor of the mouth.
Eagle syndrome, also known as stylohyoid complex syndrome, is another pathologic condition associated with the stylohyoid muscle. It occurs due to the partial ossification of the ligament of stylohyoid. The main symptoms of Eagle syndrome include nonspecific neck pain, a foreign body sensation in the throat, painful swallowing, ear pain, temporomandibular joint pain, and difficulty opening the mouth. Conservative management of Eagle syndrome includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but surgery may be required for permanent relief.
Bilateral stylohyoid syndrome is a rare differential diagnosis of occupational neck pain. It is characterised by ossification of the stylohyoid ligament complex, resulting in severe neck pain and limited movement of the cervical spine. In some cases, surgical resection of the ossified stylohyoid ligament complex may be necessary to alleviate symptoms.
Overall, the stylohyoid muscle is involved in important functions and pathologic conditions affecting this muscle can result in significant discomfort and disability, particularly in the case of Eagle syndrome and bilateral stylohyoid syndrome, where surgical intervention may be required.
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Frequently asked questions
The stylohyoid muscle is a thin neck muscle stretching between the base of the skull and the hyoid bone. It is one of the four suprahyoid muscles.
The stylohyoid muscle is innervated by the stylohyoid branch of the facial nerve (CN VII).
The stylohyoid muscle elevates and retracts the hyoid bone, initiating the swallowing process. It also elongates the floor of the mouth.
